Chery will offer a range of powertrain options to Australian customers in the future, with plans to launch both hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
These new powertrain options will complement the existing lineup of internal combustion engine-powered SUVs as well as the recently launched lineup of electric vehicles. Omoda E5.
“Each nameplate will have a combination of powertrains,” said Chery Australia managing director Lucas Harris. Car expert.
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Tiggo 8 and Tiggo 7 PHEV electric vehicles for the Chinese market
“We have ICE and PHEVs available in a number of different brands that we will look at. I think the Omoda E5 is one of a few EVs that we will have in the next 12 to 18 months.
“A conventional HEV is not too far-fetched for an existing brand.”
Chery Launches ‘Super Hybrid Power Platform’ last yeara plug-in hybrid platform supporting a pair of electric powertrains.
The automaker sells a range of PHEVs in China under the Chery Fulwin banner, including a plug-in version of the Tiggo 8 Pro available in Australia.
However, the average size Tiggo 7 Pro is likely to be the first car to be sold in Australia with PHEV power. Mr Harris hinted that it was a “reasonable assumption” that the Tiggo 7 PHEV would be available in Australia by mid-2025.
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Tiggo 7 PHEV
The PHEV versions of the Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro in China combine a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a three-component lithium battery, two electric motors and a three-speed Direct Hybrid transmission, producing a total system output of 240kW and 545Nm of torque and an electric range of up to 80km.
In terms of broader strategy, Chery wants to avoid putting all its capital into electric vehicles by offering a variety of powertrains.
“We’re not going all-in on electric vehicles like some others have, we think there’s more opportunity when there’s more choice for customers,” Harris explained.
“We want customers to walk into a Chery showroom and if an electric vehicle is the best fit for them, then great, they can buy an electric vehicle. If an ICE vehicle is the best fit, then great, they can buy one, or maybe a plug-in hybrid.
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Tiggo 8 PHEV
“The real issue is trying to provide enough choice so that when customers come into a Chery showroom, we can give them something that suits their needs.”
In the first eight months of 2024, Chery sold 6,240 vehicles in Australia – more than brands such as Jeep (sales of 1,661 vehicles) and Renault (sales of 3,783 vehicles).
In addition to expanding the Chery-branded product line, the company will launch the Jaecoo brand here in the first quarter of 2025.
Billed as a more premium, “go-anywhere” brand, its first product will be the boxy mid-size J7, followed by two other cars.
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